Google's Russian Android Appeal Falls Flat

A Russian appeals court recently rejected Google’s appeal of a US$6.75 million fine regulators imposed on it for anticompetitive behavior — that is, for forcing mobile device vendors to put Google Play apps on the main screens of devices using the Android operating system.

The Ninth Arbitration Appeal Court’s ruling, handed down last month, means that the court considered the decision of Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service to be reasonable and legitimate. Google therefore would have to pay the fine and take steps to remedy the situation.

FAS is confident that executing the determination will create “fair conditions for efficient competition” in the fast-growing mobile applications market, she added.

“The Appeal Court upheld the judgment of the Court of First Instance, confirming legitimacy of FAS decision and determination,” noted Elena Zaeva, the head of FAS’ Department for Regulating Communications and Information Technologies. “Google must now execute the determination in full within the designated period.”